Air Force absolves officers of Yenagoa killing

Yenagoa-The Nigerian Air Force headquar-ters, yesterday, denied the involvement of its men in the killing of a baker in the Swali suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while responding to a distress call over armed robbery attack.

It said investigations by relevant authorities were on to establish the circumstan-ces leading to the death of the baker.

It will be recalled that the tragic killing of the baker identified as Paul Wisdom, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the wake of a failed robbery attempt on the bakery.

Although it could not be substantiated, some residents had alleged that Air Force personnel on guard fired the shot that killed the baker while responding to the distress call.

Reacting to the report, 235 Base Services Group of the Nigerian Air Force said its men on guard duty were not involved in foiling the robbery attack but had remained vigilant to safe-guard lives and property within the Unit’s area of responsibility.

The Air Force Mobility Command, through its spokesman Squadron Leader B. Okon, described the media report that its personnel killed the late baker as misleading.

He said the story was not only misleading but capable of raising undue tension within the Swali community.

Okon said: “On August 13, guards on duty at the 235 BSG heard sporadic gunshots around the Swali market area. This was followed by a distress call from one Mr. John Izuegbu-nam residing at 3, John Igbi Street. He said armed robbers were operating at his house located close to the Unit Headquarters.

“The Commander of Operation Famou Tangbe was immediately alerted while the Air Force personnel on duty remained vigilant to safeguard lives and property within the Unit’s Area of Responsibility.”